The screenplay is by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, based on scientific theories by Caltech astrophysicist Kip Thorne. It chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Set in the near future, the film finds McConaughey — fresh from his Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club — in the role of Cooper, an engineer and a pilot, and a father of two. After climate change brings on a global food crisis, he turns his focus on farming — until an old mentor (Caine) recruits him to join a mysterious space mission. Its goal: Finding another planet capable of sustaining human life.